KIS Migration

Permanent Residence

Your Forever Home Canada! – Canada’s vision of a free, safe and prosperous country draws immigrants from all corners of the world.

A permanent resident application is your first step toward making Canada your home. On November 5, 2026, the Government of Canada confirmed its immigration levels. It will welcome 380,000 new permanent residents each year from 2027 to 2029. Most will arrive through the Economic and Family Reunification Programs. Immigration helps Canada balance an aging population and strengthens the economy.

What is Canadian permanent resident status?

Foreigners who have Canadian permanent resident status are allowed to make Canada their home. Permanent residents may live, work and study in Canada as long as they keep their status. To obtain and maintain Canadian permanent resident status, foreigners must meet the legal requirements to enter and remain in Canada as permanent residents.

After an application for Canadian permanent resident status was submitted to an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office, the visa and immigration officers will decide whether to approve the request and the border officer will determine whether to admit the foreigner on a permanent basis. Furthermore, permanent residents must comply with the residency obligation (e.g. physical presence in Canada for a minimum of 730 days in a five-year period, etc.).

According to annual caps (2027 – 2029: 380,000 immigrants per year), IRCC processes permanent resident applications under the following classes:

  1. Family Classes (Family and Spousal Sponsorship).
  2. Economic Classes (Express Entry: Skilled Worker, Trade, Canadian Experience Class; Provincial Nominee and Business Immigrant).
  3. Refugee and Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations Classes.
  4. Temporary Resident Permit Holder Class.

Foreigners who intend to move to Canada, may apply for a permanent resident visa (PRV) to live in Canada. Permanent residents enjoy social benefits similar to Canadian citizens; however, they are not allowed to vote, hold a Canadian passport, hold a position requiring a high-level security clearance or run for elected office: these rights are reserved for Canadian citizens.

Foreigners from visa-required countries must have a valid passport and a PRV to be permitted to enter and stay in Canada. A PRV is a counterfoil (sticker) issued by a visa or immigration officer that is placed in the passport to indicate that the holder may become a permanent resident on admission to Canada.

Foreigner from visa-exempt countries must have a valid passport and a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to be admitted to Canada. A COPR is a white, legal size document issued by a visa or immigration officer.

As noted, a PRV/COPR does not guarantee admission to Canada. However, it permits a foreigner to travel to a Canadian port of entry (POE) by air, sea or land; to request admission to Canada. Finally, a border officer will decide whether to grant entry by reviewing new facts (e.g. criminal charges, marriages, birth of a child).

After landing, IRCC will mail the permanent resident card (PRC) to the newcomer’s home address within three months. The PRC is a wallet-sized, plastic card and used as a status and travel document.

It is best practice to renew the PRC every five years.

When permanent residents do not fulfill their residency obligation, they lose their status and must leave Canada.

Grounds of inadmissibility may also lead to loss of permanent residence.

Permanent residents who no longer wish to reside in Canada may give up their permanent resident status.

Temporary Residence
Citizenship
Enforcement and Appeals